Harrisburg Happenings: Ryan Bizzarro

Keeping you informed is what we do - and one of our newest state legislators wants to do the same.

[The Erie Reader is proud to bring you: "Harrisburg Happenings." This is the first in a series of columns from one of Erie's newest state legislators, Representative Ryan Bizzarro. Once each month, he'll bring you news, reflections, and thoughts from our Commonwealth's capitol city.]

It's been a little more than three months since the voters gave me the opportunity to serve them as State Representative in the third legislative district for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and it has been a humbling and exciting experience thus far.

From overseeing a two-and-a-half-week construction project to transform my once-election headquarters into a functioning office space for my new staff to serve residents, to traveling to and from Harrisburg for the inauguration and the first few weeks of legislative session, I've gained an even greater perspective on how important it is to make a positive and lasting impact as a legislator in our state.

I've been assigned to three committees, whose official business will affect the residents of the third legislative district and the Commonwealth greatly. I'm eager to make my mark and be the voice for those I represent in our state capitol. My committees are Aging & Older Adult Services, Gaming Oversight, and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, for which I was elected by my peers to serve as secretary. I have also been elected to serve as the treasurer for the Northwest Democratic Caucus. These positions of leadership will help me ensure that the state government works harder for you and your family.

I'm especially proud of the productivity my district office has been able to establish since we opened shop on Dec. 3, 2012. There are so many services a legislative office can offer, and my staff and I have made it our prerogative to give first-class service to help constituents with their state government needs.

One of our favorite things my staff and I have done over the past weeks was turning our office into a health clinic, offering flu shots and free blood pressure screening to anyone in need. More than 50 people came through our doors that day, leaving healthier and happier. It was rewarding and insightful to meet with residents one-on-one, and I will be hosting similar events in the near future.

Getting Pennsylvanians back to work is extremely important, and that's why my office is your local employment center. With the only system of its kind in our region, job seekers can come in and search for employment opportunities, prepare for interviews, construct their resumes and cover letters, while receiving one-on-one help and guidance from my staff. Our employment center will serve as a community resource aimed at putting people back to work, facilitating the tools and support to make the process as easy as possible. Our goal is to create a positive and strong ripple effect in the community and ultimately throughout the entire state.

Restoring funding to education and investing in our community are critical priorities as I continue my term in office. Staying focused on education, as well as business and workforce development will ensure limitless opportunities for growth and success for our community and across the state.

I encourage you to reach out and use my office as your bridge to Harrisburg. We're located in the Peninsula Plaza at 1101 Peninsula Drive, in Suite 209. You can call us at 835.2880 with any questions, comments, and/or concerns. We're in this together, and I am here to serve you!

Have something to say to Representative Bizzarro? Send an email to jperkins@pahouse.net